3. Talk with Encompass Realty sellers agent to plan your selling strategy and walk you through the remaining steps!

4. Determine your home’s fair market value (FMV) and set a price.

Research public records and collect information on comparable homes in your area with similar square footage, construction, age, and condition that have sold within the past six months and are currently on the market. Your Encompass Realty sellers agent will help with this process.

Browse listings for homes for sale in your area to get a sense of what is on the market and current home prices.

Ask your agent to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) report.

Find out about new construction and foreclosures in your area.

Figure out the average cost per square foot for your area, and make sure your home is in line with it.

9. Make counteroffers and negotiate.

Approach each offer as an opportunity to negotiate.

If the buyer’s offer is contingent on selling a home, counter with a Removal of Sale Contingency.

If you won’t budge on price, offer financial incentives that don’t require cash out of your pocket, such as paying for part or all of the buyer’s closing costs or completing repairs found during the property inspections.

Offer to include furniture, appliances, window treatments, or lighting fixtures.

If you’re worried you won’t be able to buy a home after you sell, include a “rent back” clause which lets you rent back your home from the buyers after escrow closes.

Make a full-price counteroffer, if your comps can back it up.

Make the sale contingent on you buying a home.

Don’t forget to set a closing date and move-in date.

10. Escrow.

Create a formal plan for handling home repairs, including when they should be made and who pays for them.

Clean and prepare the home for the appraisal and home inspections.

Choose an escrow officer who will order a title search, request payoff information for your mortgage and other liens on the home, prepare and record documents, hold and disburse funds, and prepare closing statements.

Prepare for the final walk-through inspection.

Sign the closing documents and move out of your home.

Keep copies of your documents for reporting the sale on federal and state tax forms.